Hurst Bridge Meeting Erupts

Stormy scenes were witnessed as protesters from Milford on Sea made their views known at a recent Hampshire County Council Planning Meeting.

The meeting chairman, Councillor Jazz Dupp, only managed to restore order with the threat of calling the police.

After a five year consultation process the proposals for Hurst Bridge were presented for decision by the council.

Protesters tried to make the point that the Milford on Sea community had not been directly consulted and objected that all meetings had taken place in Winchester. These arguments fell on deaf ears.

Hurst Bridge is planned to run from a new bridgehead to be constructed next to Hurst Castle across to Totland Bay on the Isle of Wight.

Councillor Dupp made the point that the new bridge is key to the regeneration of the Isle of Wight and will increase tourism trade for the island. He also said; "Hurst Castle have a great opportunity to expand their café offering to travellers wishing to rest before crossing the bridge."

Plans were then revealed to create a suitable access road, the Village Green would be narrowed in order to widen Church Hill. Shouts erupted from the viewing gallery as protesters heckled, banged their walking sticks and threw various objects and unidentified liquids into the council chamber. As police dragged away the final protester, the livid Milfordian made it clear where the council could stick their bridge.

Eventually order was restored. Councillor Dupp, in a slightly agitated state, reopened the meeting by saying; "Some people simply do not appreciate what we do for them. Those people from Milford on Sea are always trouble. Why is it that so many retired people have nothing better to do that get in the way of our great ideas." 

Councillor Hugh Jass apologised for Councillor Wyn Dupp's ageist outburst, and went on to say; "We also wish to make it easier for people from Milford on Sea to reach the island, and saver cards will be made available to all residents which will offers discounts for journeys made on foot or disability scooter."

The chairman then asked the council to vote on the Hurst Bridge proposal. The proposal was approved by a majority of 11 to 1 with the construction of Hurst Bridge to commence on the first day of April 2018. 

Local residents are now planning a sit-in protest and barricades on Church Hill the moment the roadwork team arrives. To draw further attention to the village's plight, their are plans to have 24 hour sessions of community yoga and Gregorian chanting on Milford on Sea Village Green.

If you wish to make your feelings known, please contact:
u.beenhad@hampshirecc.gov

*Due to the serious nature of this Hurst Bridge decision, please share this story with your friends in Milford on Sea, we must stand united!

Anthony Climpson moves on from NFDC

Not many people reading this will know of Anthony Climpson, but he has headed up the New Forest tourism at New Forest District Council for numerous years, and in that time has been a big supporter of promoting Milford on Sea.

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In his 30 years with NFDC Anthony has done an excellent job and received accolades both national and international as well as an OBE.

A restructuring at NFDC has meant that Anthony is still looking after New Forest tourism, but now as chief executive of a start up community interest company called Go New Forest. He will also be joined by Carol Seymour, who has worked closely with him for many years. 

At his NFDC leaving event, there were gracious words from the Council Leader (Barry Rickman), from NFDC's Chris Elliott and an amusing response from Tony with reminiscences and quotations. 

Anthony was also presented with a compiled picture/quotations book and a large picture of a New Forest scene. 

The Food Week Team send our thanks and good wishes for all the help Anthony and Carol have given us in the past.

Hurst Castle Opens for Season

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Hurst Castle reopens for the season from this Saturday 1 April 2017. To celebrate there will be a Family Easter Treasure Trail & Crafts, there are also wildlife activities for the kids. To find out more please click here.

Hurst Castle Information

The castle will welcome visitors seven-days-a-week from Saturday, 10.30am to 5.30pm, from 1 April to 30 September. Then open from 10.30am to 4pm in October.

Entry prices to the castle are as follows:

Adult: £5.00

Concession: £4.50

Child (5-15 yrs): £3.00

Family (2 adults & 3 Children): £15

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Ferry from Keyhaven will depart from 10am daily then every 20 minutes. Last ferry from Hurst Castle is at 5.30pm. 

Return fares: 

Adult £6.50

Child £3.50 (children under 3 free)

Singles fares:

Adult:£3.50

Child:£2.50

Hurst Castle

www.hurstcastle.co.uk

Mr Pink's Open Again

Mr Pink's has now reopened following the damaging chip pan vat fire on the evening on Wednesday 24th August 2016

Lovers of the Great British classic of fish & chips can now again enjoy the delights of Mr Pink's. 

Milford on Sea without its chippy just didn't feel right!

Become a Friend of Milford Community Library

Milford Community Library is now 2 years old, and they are launching a new fundraising initiative called Friends of Milford Community Library. 

Also, to celebrate their birthday, the library team are holding a Coffee Morning on Saturday 1st April from 10am to 12.30pm, everyone is invited to join them for tea/coffee and homemade cake.

Hampshire County Council still provide the stock and librarian support once a week, and our local MoS Community Library Committee and volunteers are responsible for staffing the library and raising enough money to cover the rent and other expenses.

For only £5 per year, you can help support the library and keep it open, and you will be sent a regular newsletters to let you know of up-coming events and other news from the library. 

To become a Friend of Milford Community Library please click here, or you can pick up a form from the library.

Milford on Sea Library

Park Road, Milford on Sea SO41 0QU

mosclibrary@gmail.com

www.facebook.com/mosclibrary

Milford Village Association Registered Charity Number: 301889

Opening times: 

Monday and Tuesday 2.30 to 5.00pm 

Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 10am to 12.30pm

1st Saturday of each month 10am to 12.30pm

New Beach Huts are Coming

Although there is no official opening date that we are aware off, the unveiling of the new Beach Huts in Milford on Sea can be but a month or two away.

The Valentine's Night Storm of 2014 seems a long way off now, and the seafront will once again be a place for everyone to fully enjoy soon. 

Looks like we will have a great Summer!

To find out more please click here.

See the New Born Lambs

Spring lambs are on of the joys and you can see them this weekend at Aubrey Farm in Keyhaven.

When you go, you may be lucky to witness a live birth, and there are plenty of new lambs to see plus the bottle reared lambs who love human contact and enjoy a cuddle!

This year, Lisa is keeping it all about 'local' and she has plenty of activities to enjoy including fun with the New Forest National Park Authority Rangers, bushcraft and archery by outdoor activity specialists Outright Adventure. The New Forest Marque will have a tasting and local produce information stand. New Forest Transition will run children’s craft activities plus local Beekeepers a Blacksmith demonstration and much, much more.

Local outside caterers Appetite for Adventure will be providing refreshments, BBQ and a bar.

Lisa's Larder, the farm shop will be open with a full traditional butchers counter service specialising in locally sourced farm meat. The shelves will be laden with an array of local produce, including cheeses, cakes, chutneys, jams and confectionery.

The event starts at 10am until 3pm, there is ample parking in a field, please follow signs from Lymore Lane, Keyhaven.

A minimum entrance donation of £1 per person will be collected in aid of Oakhaven Hospice.

Please note: The lambing shed is not suitable for visitors who are or think they may be pregnant and dogs are not permitted.

La Perle raises funds for PC Keith Palmer's Family

Sam, the chef/proprietor at La Perle is doing a fundraising evening for the Family of PC Keith Palmer through The Metropolitan Police Federation Fund. PC Palmer lost his life alongside other innocents last week in the attack on Westminster. 

The evening will be held next Tuesday 28th March at 7pm, with the meal free of charge and instead Sam is asking for a donation to PC Palmer’s family in a sealed envelope - cash or cheque.

MENU

Double Baked Smoked Haddock and Old Winchester Soufflé, Spring Onion Cream

Chargrilled Longhorn Steak, French Fries, Peppercorn Sauce

Raspberry Burnt English Cream, Chocolate Chip Cookie

Nespresso Coffee

To book or check out the tasty menu call 01590 643557 or visit: www.laperle.co.uk

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Addendum from Sam, the chef/proprietor at La Perle

Just to let you no the evening was a roaring success and £1000 was raised due to peoples generosity on the evening.

We also had many other donations from people who were unable to attend which was wonderful.

Tonight really brought home what a great community spirit we have in Milford on Sea.

Last Lynx Flies Over Milford

A local resident has heard from their son, a retired Lynx pilot, that the last Lynx helicopter will pass over Milford on Sea seafront at 1pm this Friday (17th March 2017)

Worth seeing a part of British military history if you can.

The Lynx is a multi-purpose military helicopter manufacturer by Westland Helicopters. The first flight was on 21st March 1971 and it was introduced to service in 1978 and used by the British Army, Royal Navy, French Navy and German Navy.

Addendum

The fleet of Lynx Late arrived (1324hrs) not along the coast, but just over the roof tops in the north of the village.

Picture Courtesy of Jim Bunting
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Friends of Ray of Hope raises over £1000

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The Milford on Sea based charity, Friends of Ray of Hope send their thanks to all who supported the Ugandan style afternoon tea on the 4th March 2017. 

Friends of Ray of Hope raise money to provide funding and support for the Ray of Hope Ugandan charity operating in the slums of Kampala. 

At the afternoon tea videos and photos were shown from a recent visit to the project, and the event raised over £1000 from donations and craft sales. 

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A Friends of Ray of Hope coffee morning takes place on the first Saturday of every month from 10am to 12 noon at 33 Whitby Road, Milford on Sea - and everyone is welcome to just go along.

Friends of Ray of Hope
www.friendsofrayofhope.com

Paddle Board at Hurst Castle

Sean from The New Forest Paddle Sport Company from his shop in Milford on Sea High Street is hosting a Stand Up Paddle Board Day at Hurst Castle on 30th April 2017.

On the day the world leading SUP brand Starboard will be in attendance allowing paddlers to come and demo brand new 2017 boards and take part in Stand Up Paddle Board Polo. A amazing fast fun 3 a side game.

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Sean will also be running his very popular taster sessions for beginners who want to try out paddle boarding for the first time.

To see the full details please visit:
www.milfordonseacalender.org 

Tickets are now available instore and online at:

The New Forest Paddle Sport Company 

46 High Street, Milford on Sea, SO41 0QD - 01590 645270

info@thenewforestpaddlesportcompany.co.uk

www.thenewforestpaddlesportcompany.co.uk

Find a Lonely Bouquet

The Lonely Bouquet has now become an annual event when members of Flower Arranging Clubs, including our own Milford Floral Art Club.

For the event, members of the clubs make up small bouquets of flowers and leave them in random places around their area for members of the public to pick up and enjoy. A label is attached with a request that the recipient contacts a named member of the Club to let them know where the flowers end up.

So, if you find a ‘Lonely Bouquet’ on 5th May 201, please take it with you and enjoy it!

For more information, or to contact the Milford Floral Art Club, please go to www.nafas.org.uk


On the 11th May a 'Flower Power' Presentation will be made by National Demonstrator Pat Dibben and hosted by Milford Floral Art Club. Everyone is welcome, please visit www.milfordonseacalendar.org for full details. 

Calling Village Clubs and Associations

The Village Exhibition & Newcomers Supper takes place in a few days time and there is still room for a few more Village Clubs and Associations - If you would like to take part in the special annual village event, please contact: Ruth Bufton on: ruth.bufton@btinternet.com or 01590 641875.

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At the beginning of each year two excellent events take place where you can discover more about the village in which you live.

Firstly is the free Milford on Sea Village Exhibition which is Open to All, and takes place from 2pm to 4pm on Saturday 25th March 2017 in All Saints Church in Milford on Sea. .

This is a great opportunity to come and meet representatives from Clubs, Societies and Services across the village. 

Exhibitors Information

• Set up in the morning or before 2pm.
• Application for space before 1st March 2017. 
• Stand position is on a first come first choice basis. 
• Exhibitors to provide a card table sized table for their stand. 
• Supper it is £3.50 a head.

Milford Businesses

Although the exhibition does not have the space for businesses to have a stall, Ruth is keen for everyone to have an opportunity to promote themselves. After all, we love our shops and local traders!

To get involved, simply provide Ruth with an A5 handout, A6 slips of information and supply about 70 business cards - before 1st March. These will then be to put in the goody bags that will be given to each Newcomer on the evening.

To exhibit or advertise your business please contact Ruth on: 01590 641875 or ruth.bufton@btinternet.com - 15 Hurst Road, Milford on Sea, SO41 0PY

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The ‘Newcomers Supper’ is held to welcome all newcomers to the village in All Saints Church Hall in Milford on Sea.

Anyone that was new to the village in 2016 is able to apply for an invitation, - and the event is entirely free.

This informal evening is great to meet other new people to the village & a selection of village people. (That's residents, not the old pop group!)

The Milford on Sea Newcomers Supper evening consists of two parts: 

Newcomers arrive at 6pm to visit the exhibition and wander around informally meeting representatives from the many clubs, associations & organisations in the village. They can tell you anything you want to know, and if you fancy getting involved you can.

At 7.15pm the exhibition is followed by a free sit down supper with the chance to meet new people & have a bit of fun.

Come & enjoy a free drink & supper meal, together with entertainment, lots of fun and laughter, and which ends with the Milford song!

Most years the event has over a hundred people attending, and it is a great way to meet new people, and to get a warm welcome to your new home. The village is full of friendly people and the ‘Newcomers Supper’ is a fast-track way of getting to know all about our village life.

The ‘Newcomers Supper’ is funded & hosted by all of the churches in the village & tirelessly organised by Ruth Bufton.

The event is by invitation only, so if you are new to the village this year and would like to come along (Adults only), all you need to do is to contact: Ruth Bufton on: ruth.bufton@btinternet.com or 01590 641875.

Roccbox the Ultimate Outdoor Oven with Milford DNA

Tom Gozney is both a Milford on Sea resident, entrepreneur, and founder of a successful oven business.

Tom founded The Stone Bake Oven Company in 2009. Since then, his company has received praise from national publications including The Telegraph, The Guardian as well as popular lifestyle magazines and can now be found in homes and restaurants across the world.

Unlike other wood fired oven distributors, The Stone Bake Oven Company pride themselves in being both the manufacturer and distributor of all their products, giving customers the confidence they need in dealing with a member of the Stone Bake team directly.

Still in his thirties, Tom is CEO of a group of companies, and he has now invented the Roccbox, which he believes could revolutionise outdoor cooking. The Roccbox is billed as the world’s first portable and lightweight stone bake oven. It can cook more or less anything, with a pizza ready in under 90 seconds.

Roccbox took four years to develop, boosted by Virgin’s Pitch to Rich initiative and crowdfunding website Indiegogo.

Looks like Tom is on to another winner to me. Click here to check the Roccbox out.

The Stone Baked Oven Company

Tom Gozney

www.thestonebakeovencompany.co.uk

Parish Council Seafront Enhancement Consultation Event

The Parish Council are holding a Seafront Enhancement Consultation Event to get people’s views on options for enhancing the play facilities at the Sea Front.

The event will be held on Thursday 6th April in the Community Centre from 2pm until 7pm.

The Parish Council has been looking at a range of options to provide more interesting play facilities for children of all ages at the Seafront. The equipment will be paid for by Developers’ Contributions received by the Parish Council and which must be spent on enhancing open space facilities.

The areas concerned are firstly an area for young families to the east of the Needles Eye Café and the car park and secondly to the west of the Needles Eye Café of sufficient land to provide a worthwhile play area for slightly older children. This is in addition to the existing toddler play area. The Parish Council has decided not to include a skate/ scooter park or a zip wire.

Proposals setting out options for various types of equipment commonly used and valued in neighbouring towns and villages will be on display and the Parish Council invites the whole community to come along and give their views.

Please pop in to see the ideas and to express your views.

For more information, please click here.

Good News for May Fayre

For a while the traditional Milford on Sea May Fayre on the village green has been in jeopardy.

However, good news has emerged as some new volunteers have stepped forward to join the May Fayre committee, and this charming village event remains in the calendar for this 1st May.

The May Fayre will have May Pole Dancing, Side Shows, Local Stalls, Children's Climbing Wall, Bouncy Castle, BBQ, Food Tents on Village Green - and of course at 2pm the Crowning of the May Queen.

There are still a few spaces left for stalls and if anyone would be interested please contact Henrietta on henri.mayfayre@gmail.com. Stalls are allocated on a first come first served basis, and there are just a few spaces left.

The Lighthouse Museum in Hurst Castle

By the time you are reading this article, Hurst Castle will have opened for the 2017 summer season, along with the Lighthouse Museum and the Trinity House Exhibition Rooms, which are all at the far end of the West Wing.

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During the winter season, the local team from the Association of Lighthouse Keepers have been focusing their work efforts on the Trinity House Rooms and tackling several major projects. Firstly, the impressive light vessel optic which, since it was installed some 11 years ago, has been stationary but, all being well, when you next visit will be rotating. The team had to do a lot of fund raising for this project to procure the special motor and gear box but all of your donations have made it very worthwhile.

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Next on the list is the large ventilator with a weathervane on top. In its service life on top of the metal low light built on the curtain wall, it had received very many coats of paint but, alas, some of it had become chipped and the weathervane damaged. The team have been working hard to remove all of the paint, repair the weathervane and then give the whole thing a fresh coat of paint to make it look smart and loved again. The weathervane will have a coat of gold coloured paint, not gold leaf as we cannot afford that.

The original optic from the Nab Tower has had its gears inspected and adjusted so that, now, when it is wound up in the morning, it will keep turning all day. It has also received a fresh coat of paint. 

With both of these artifacts now revolving we need to keep little fingers in particular, well clear so have remade a rope cordon around these items. Also, outside, we have sorted out the electrical problems with the Egypt Point optic so that, once again, you will see it flashing as you enter via the main gate.

There are lots of new things to see, so please do pay Hurst Castle a visit over the Easter period. Ferries go to the Castle from Keyhaven or you can walk along the spit from Milford-on-Sea.

If you would like to know more, and we hope that you do, then please contact the ALK Hurst Castle Project Manager, Keith Morton, at hurst@alk.org.uk, or on 01329-843883. 

Also, please take a look at the ALK website: www.alk.org.uk

NB: Hurst Castle fully opens for the Summer season from Saturday 1st April.
www.hurstcastle.co.uk

Car Wash for Community First Responders

The recently formed Community First Responders are gaining fantastic support from the community and at the end of the month the Milford Car Wash are donating £1 for every car washed from Monday 27th March, until Friday 31st March 2017.

The New Forest Yokels will follow this up with a fundraising gig at the White Horse on Saturday 1st April (7.30pm). Click here for more details.

About the Milford on Sea Community Responders

Milford on Sea now has a newly established Community First Responders group.

The Community First Responders support the South Central Ambulance Service and get deployed to appropriate emergency calls in the village. All are volunteers who donate their time and expertise for free. The group has been founded by Ross Woolgar, Terri Newton and Conrad Curtis.

The advantage of Community First Responders is that in many cases they can get there before the paramedics and commence life saving emergency treatment at the earliest opportunity, which significantly improves patients chances of survival.

The lifesaving kit they carry is rather expensive and because of this can't be funded by South Central Ambulance Service so, currently, the three medics are sharing one set of kit which has kindly been lent to them by the Ringwood Community First Responder team. The objective is of course, for each first responder to have their own kit.

The Milford on Sea teams first priority therefore, is to raise enough cash, somewhere between £5k to £10k initially, to fund their own kit to make sure they are able to help everyone in the village if ever needed.

If anyone is generous enough to make a donation, the sooner the money is raised, the sooner a full service will be available. Every little you could contribute would help - To donate please click here.

Help for Milford Guides

The Milford Conservation Volunteers are working closely with the Milford-on-Sea Guiding Association in developing their rear garden which is used for camping, cooking and playing. 

The volunteers have already extended the grassed area and are preparing the ground to include secure fencing and a gate. There is also the possibility of including a 'wetland bird hide' which will overlook the marshy area of reeds at the bottom of their garden - good area for Cetti's Warbler and Water Rail.

The  project is already being supported by an Alan Rice County Councillor Grant and Tesco's have now approved their application for the 'Tesco in store bag's of help' scheme. The names of all the stores supporting the Milford Guides are as follows:

BLACKFIELD SOTON EXP SO45 1WE

DIBDEN PURLIEU EXP SO45 5GT

HYTHE SO45 5JA

LYMINGTON METRO SO41 9AP

NEW MILTON BH25 6BP

LYMINGTON SOU ST EXP SO41 8GN

BROCKENHURST EXP SO42 7RB

OLD MILTON RD EXP BH25 6DN

HIGHCLIFFE EXPRESS BH23 5HD

HYTHE LANGDOWN LW EXP SO45 5GS

If you find the need to visit a supermarket (Although shopping in the village is better for our local shopkeepers and overall community), please use one of these stores and make sure they give you a 'blue disk' to place in one of the 3 sections near the entrance/exit. 

If you are cheeky, you can ask for additional blue discs, they may or may not give you extras, but it is worth asking!

Newly formed Milford on Sea Recorded Music Society

Local residents Val and Andy Clark together with David Scourse, are reforming the old New Milton Recorded Society as it ceased in Dec 2016.

The new 'Milford on Sea Recorded Music Society' will now be based in the village.

Andy Clark and David Scourse, are holding an opening programme at 2.30pm on Friday 10th March at Milford on Sea Library.

Their excellent Hi-Fi equipment was passed on from the New Milton Society.

The afternoon talk/recital will have a short break for refreshments, but the main objective will be to share with others the intense pleasure of music, whether it be Opera, Symphony, Chamber or Jazz!

They have affiliated to the Federation of Recorded Music Societies, and will be pleased to welcome potential members.

For any further information, please contact Andy on 01590 643249 or David on 01590 645365